Aaron Auer, candidate for governor for the Oregon Constitution Party, will be speaking and preaching tonight, Friday July 8 7pm at the Wasco RR Depot. Auer is known for his historical re-enactment of Oregon missionary Jason Lee, which helped lead him to the goal of serving as “Oregon’s Preaching Statesman”. This summer, he is visiting every county in Oregon “with an honest report and the Word of our Lord”. Presented by R.O.A.R. Ministries.

2. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden Town Hall in Moro, July 9

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) will hold a town hall meeting in Sherman County on Saturday, July 9 at 2:30pm at the Steve Burnet Extension & Research Building, 66365 Lonerock Rd, Moro.

3. In a Happy State of Mind

What makes you happy? Where do you find joy? No matter who you are, the answer to these questions is always the same. A radical statement? Perhaps. But one thing is for certain: we spend our lives looking for happiness. The challenge is in knowing where to find it.

Do you know anyone who is always looking for happiness? What about people who are constantly in pursuit of joy through some activity, or people who complain that their relationships are dull, their job oppressive?

They act as if happiness and joy are to be found “out there” somewhere. They seldom come to terms with the idea that happiness is inside them. You see, we can’t look for joy as we do a lost article of clothing. We make our own happiness. We define it for ourselves and experience it in our own unique way. In fact, the happiest people in the world would probably still be happy if they were stripped of everything but life.

Many people whose bodies are terribly crippled or who have lived a life of deprivation and disadvantage are able to smile and joke their way through life, while those working with them who have every physical and economic advantage are often sour, complaining and depressed.

So open up the doors to your heart and let joy, laughter, and light heartedness come in. Many a relationship has been saved by a good belly laugh. A sense of humor is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Just remember, what makes you happy is not an event but a point of view. Once you have it, you’ll find joy and good fellowship wherever you look. And the benefits will increase exponentially – at home, at work and at play. ~ The Pacific Institute

The National Park Service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site will present Vintage Base Ball – a baseball game played by the rules of the 1860s – on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at 6 pm. Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will throw out the first pitch at this popular, free annual event, located on the Parade Ground near the reconstructed Band Stand.

Costumed national park staff and volunteers will help spectators step back in time, portraying two of the Pacific Northwest’s earliest baseball teams: the Sherman Base Ball Club (consisting of soldiers from the Army’s Vancouver Barracks) and the Occidental Base Ball Club of the City of Vancouver. The game will be played by the rules given in a rule book from 1867, when the sport was known as “base ball.”

Volunteers will portray well-dressed “cranks” (base ball fans from 1867). Between innings, patriotic music from the 19th century will be played by the Vancouver Community Concert Band. Refreshments will be available for purchase during the event by Nomad’s Gourmet Hot Dogs and Kristen’s Sweet Delights.

Base ball in 1867 was a very different game than it is today. The “hurler” – today’s “pitcher” – threw to the striker’s (batter’s) liking, and there were no called or non-swinging strikes. Players wore no gloves, and could catch the ball on one bounce for an out – though such a practice was not considered “manly.” The game was played with an extensive code of conduct to ensure all would play in a “gentlemanly” manner. For instance, neither sliding into nor stealing bases were allowed.

Many historians credit the 19th century U.S. Army for the spread of base ball throughout the country, specifically during and after the Civil War. On May 11, 1867, an organized team of soldiers from the Army’s Vancouver Barracks – dubbed the “Garrison Boys” by the press – played the Occidental Base Ball Club of Vancouver, with the soldiers winning by a score of 45 to 5.

“Our match will not be an exact repeat of this historic game, in order to spare our participants the task of running around the bases so many times,” said Park Ranger Robert Gutierrez, “but we can assure the crowd that it will be a lot of fun, and will adhere to the code of conduct of 1867. This event is a great way to enjoy the national park on a summer evening and learn about history at the same time.”

See “The National Game is Decidedly ‘On the Fly’: The Rise of Organized Base Ball in the Portland and Vancouver Area in 1867. It can be downloaded as a PDF at http://go.usa.gov/5cmh.